Supreme Court Senior Associate Justice Antonio T. Carpio updated the media sector on the initial favorable decision of the international Arbitral Tribunal on the West Philippine Sea dispute at a forum hosted by AIJC 05 November 2015. The forum was also an occasion to appreciate the Murillo Velarde Map of 1734, known to be the first scientific map of the Philippines, which was acquired by AIJC Chair Mel Velarde at a Sotheby’s auction of artifacts which were part of a collection owned by the Duke of Northumberland in UK.

In answer to some questions, Justice Carpio said that resolution of the dispute may not happen during the current Administration. One thing the next President should not do, he said is to withdraw the complaint. “It will be a catastrophe to withdraw the case,” Justice Carpio concluded.